New Orleans Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers

Cruise vacations promise relaxation and adventure, but when cruise lines cut corners on safety, those trips can end in serious harm. Wet decks, malfunctioning equipment, and poor food handling can quickly turn a festive atmosphere into a medical emergency.

If you suffered an injury or illness while aboard a ship sailing from or docking in New Orleans, the attorneys at Douglas & London can help you pursue full financial recovery. We will hold major cruise lines accountable for negligence and unsafe conditions on the water.

Cruise Ship Terminals in New Orleans

New Orleans is the sixth-largest cruise port in the United States, and demand for cruise ship voyages originating or arriving in New Orleans for both Caribbean and river itineraries is on the rise.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) sees hundreds of thousands of water-bound travelers board cruise ships every year. Port NOLA is located at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans.

New Orleans plays a vital role in the Gulf Coast cruise industry, connecting travelers to destinations throughout the Caribbean and beyond.

The Port of New Orleans has two terminals:

  • Erato Street Cruise Terminal is where Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line dock their cruise ships. There are gorgeous views of the Mississippi River from the waiting, counter, and ticket queue areas. The 90,000-square-foot facility has a maximum capacity of 3,500 people.
  • Julia Street Cruise Terminal is where Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International dock their cruise ships. The 100,000-square-foot facility has a maximum capacity of 3,500 people, and it also hosts conferences and large receptions.

River cruises dock at Thalia Street Wharf and Poydras Street Wharf. Thalia Street Wharf hosts American Cruise Lines, while Poydras Street Wharf is home to Viking River Cruises.

Cruise Ship Voyages Originating in New Orleans Where Passengers Were Injured

Cruise ships can be the site of slip-and-fall injuries caused by watery decks, virus outbreaks infecting hundreds of people, and other injuries caused by malfunctioning equipment or careless staff. Passengers have been injured in accidents on cruise ships in or originating from New Orleans, including:

  • A 23-year-old man was critically injured after he fell on board the Carnival Valor, a Carnival Cruise Line ship. The man sustained “multiple significant injuries” while on the ship, located just off the coast of Louisiana, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. He was airlifted to University Medical Center in New Orleans, where he arrived in critical condition. The ship, which includes 13 decks, can hold more than 4,000 passengers and crew.
  • An 81-year-old passenger was medevacked from the Carnival Glory while it was transiting on the Mississippi River towards the Caribbean Sea. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter airlifted and transported the elderly woman to a hospital in stable condition.  The incident occurred at the beginning of a 5-day Caribbean cruise round-trip from its homeport in New Orleans to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.
  • A Carnival Conquest crew member died while performing maintenance on the outside of the ship. He was in a lift device called a cherry picker, when he became wedged between the cherry picker and a platform holding one of the ship’s lifeboats. The cruise ship was docked at its home port of New Orleans when the fatal accident occurred.

Common Injuries Experienced in Cruise Ship Accidents

Our team is skilled and experienced in handling cruise ship injury claims. Common types of ship injuries can include:

Injuries sustained during a cruise can be mild, moderate, or deadly, depending on the nature of the incident. Douglas & London can assess the facts in your case and advise you about next steps.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Injuries sustained aboard a ship can result in financial compensation for a passenger.  Potential compensation includes:

Economic Damages

  • Medical Expenses: Cruise ship accidents can lead to costly hospital, doctor, medication, MRI and CT scan bills, as well as the expense of ongoing physical and occupational therapy. Rehabilitation and home modification costs can also arise after a cruise ship injury.
  • Lost Wages: Injuries on cruise ships can lead to the loss of current and future wages due to time off work, leaving a family’s financial future uncertain. Serious injuries can result in permanent disability.

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and Suffering: Physical pain immediately after the accident and ongoing chronic pain are common due to shipboard injuries.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Many survivors of cruise ship accidents feel isolated, alone, and scared. They are often overwhelmed by life as well as work and family obligations. They no longer enjoy participating in family activities, sports, entertainment, and social gatherings.
  • Emotional Distress: Cruise ship accidents can cause anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, despair, and fear of water. Other emotional and mental disorders can reveal themselves months or even years later.

New Orleans Medical Facilities Where Cruise Ship Injuries Can Be Treated

Cruise ship injuries can require trauma and emergency room care as well as ongoing medical treatment. Hospitals in New Orleans where passengers can be treated include:

  • University Medical Center of New Orleans: This facility, a Level I trauma center, serves as the main teaching hospital for Tulane University and LSU medical schools and is an important medical resource for the city. This $1.2 billion facility has 446 beds, and the 56-bed Emergency Department has five trauma rooms. It is located at 2000 Canal St., New Orleans, LA.
  • Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans: This is a major component of the Ochsner Health System and a key hospital in the New Orleans metro area. It is located at 1514 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson, LA, and has several additional locations.

You Can Count on Douglas & London for Your Legal Representation

After a cruise ship accident, the path forward can feel uncertain. Medical costs add up, time away from work grows longer, and the stress can take over. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Douglas & London has decades of experience standing up to powerful businesses and their insurers. Our New Orleans-based attorneys understand the challenges passengers face after being hurt at sea or dockside, and we fight tirelessly to recover the compensation you deserve.

We treat every case with care, urgency, and respect because we know how disruptive and painful these incidents can be. To find out more about how we can help, contact us today for a free consultation about your case.